MTN and ZTE announce quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site, first commercial five-band radio, and 5G-Advanced ISAC pilot in South Africa

• MTN South Africa quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site in Cape Town covers 700 MHz–3.5 GHz, supports 2G/3G/4G/5G and IoT, and delivers Massive MIMO on 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz
• The world's first commercial deployment of 5-band UBR integrating 700/800/900/1800/2100 MHz into one unit to simplify deployment and improve energy performance
• 5G-A ISAC pilot at Hout Bay Port combines mmWave connectivity and sensing to support marine eco-protection, demonstrating the social value of advanced networks

MTN South Africa quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site

Cape Town, South Africa, November 25, 2025 - ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, and MTN South Africa, have announced three major innovations that will transform network performance and customer experience. These include a quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site in Cape Town, the world's first commercial deployment of a five-band Ultra-Broadband Radio (UBR), and a 5G-Advanced Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) pilot for marine eco-protection.

Quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site: faster speeds and better coverage
MTN and ZTE have built a quad-band Massive-MIMO pilot site at Cape Town's Waterfront. The site covers 700 MHz to 3.5 GHz and supports 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) services. For customers, this means stronger signal quality, faster data speeds and improved reliability in high-traffic areas. The pilot site has two active antenna units to deliver Massive MIMO across four key bands: 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz. This approach boosts capacity and coverage while reducing energy use, ensuring a greener network that can handle growing demand for streaming, gaming and business connectivity.

World's first commercial five-band Ultra-Broadband Radio: simpler, greener networks
The event also marked the debut of the five-band Ultra-Broadband Radio (UBR), which integrates 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz into a single unit. For customers, this means faster rollout of new services and fewer disruptions during upgrades. By consolidating multiple frequency bands into one compact unit, the solution reduces site complexity, lowers energy consumption and optimises space. This innovation helps operators deliver consistent coverage and better voice and data quality, even in rural or hard-to-reach areas.

The world's first commercial deployment of a 5-band UBR

5G-Advanced ISAC pilot: smarter connectivity with social impact
MTN and ZTE successfully piloted 5G-Advanced ISAC at the Hout Bay Port. The system combines high-speed connectivity with environmental sensing, supporting port operations and marine ecology management. For end-users, this demonstrates how advanced networks can go beyond connectivity to create social value. By reusing 5G millimetre-wave signals and applying AI-based processing, the system can identify vessel signatures and monitor surface activity with high accuracy. This innovation shows how telecom infrastructure can support sustainability and smarter cities.

ZTE and MTN are piloting 5G-A ISAC for marine eco-protection

A decade of collaboration driving Africa's digital future
MTN and ZTE have worked together since 2014, delivering multiple industry firsts from Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) to 5G and now 5G-Advanced. Looking ahead, they will deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation and next-generation networks, driving Africa's digital transformation.

Group photo of the event

Rami Farah, Chief Technology Officer of MTN South Africa, said: "Eleven years together have reinforced our belief that true partnership goes beyond projects; it is about shaping the future. MTN and ZTE will continue to extend the power of connectivity to education, healthcare and environmental protection."

Luca Shen, Chief Executive Officer of ZTE South Africa, added: "Long-term trust enables us to co-create the future with openness. We look forward to building a resilient and innovative cooperation model with MTN, expanding from networks to ecosystems."